A man pleaded guilty in Prince George Provincial Court on Thursday, Jan. 2 to breaching a peace bond by possessing and brandishing a knife.
David Michael Douglas Twyman, 49, had also been charged with assault with a weapon, but the Crown stayed that charge.
Judge Martin Nadon sentenced Twyman to a 12-month conditional discharge and probation for the May 9, 2024 offence.
On that date, Twyman was at the residence of his ex-girlfriend, with whom he had a “somewhat toxic” relationship, Nadon said. Another man attended and became embroiled in a dispute with Twyman. He placed Twyman, who was intoxicated, in a chokehold. Twyman responded by removing a knife from a sheath in his belt.
Nadon said Twyman did not use it to assault the other man, “but it was brandished.” Nadon also noted that Twyman’s lawyer had referred to the three as being in a love triangle.
While Twyman has a criminal record, Nadon said his most recent conviction was in 2010 for assault. He has also been of good behaviour since the day after last May’s offence.
“Obviously it is almost invariably in the person's best interest to have a conditional discharge,” Nadon said. “Always the question that has to be answered is whether it's in society's best interest.”
Nadon said Twyman was the youngest of 14 children in an abusive household, spent ages 7 to 14 in government care and turned to alcohol due to childhood trauma. The class 1 truck driver has been in counselling.
Twyman’s sentencing conditions include no contact with his ex-girlfriend and the other man, he must not possess weapons and must not possess or consume any alcohol or drugs, except for cannabis and medical prescriptions.
